Kim Lissarrague

Blue Mountains, New South Wales, Australia

Kim Lissarrague began his first guitar in 1991, at just thirteen years old, drawn in by a love of music and a fascination with working in wood. At fourteen he met the luthier Peter Biffin, who inspired him to experiment with new techniques and refine every aspect of the instrument. After school he sharpened his skills in Melbourne, repairing and building for Cargill Custom Guitars, and today he works from a small workshop in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney, producing a limited number of guitars each year. He has become one of the foremost Australian luthiers of his generation.

Lissarrague builds squarely within the Australian school, with designs of his own development: a lattice braced, carbon reinforced soundboard, an arched back, and a lightweight bridge reminiscent of Greg Smallman's. Like a Smallman, the guitar is substantial in weight, which translates into stability in the lap and a sound that fills a hall with ease. Details such as a seamlessly integrated armrest, thin C shaped neck, raised fingerboard, and low action make the instruments as comfortable as they are powerful, and built in top protectors guard the ultra thin lattice soundboard for the long term.

The Lissarragues that have come through our shop, a 2021 cedar and ziricote model and his 398th guitar, a 2023 cedar and ziricote lattice, have been genuinely shocking to play. The projection and sustain rival any guitar we know, with notes that swell and carry for what feels like an eternity. Yet these are not one dimensional volume machines: pianissimo passages sing with clarity, and subtle shifts in attack angle unlock a wide palette of colors. For chamber music, concertos, or any player who wants monumental presence, we recommend them without hesitation.